Phil Neville announces his retirement

Former Everton defender Phil Neville announced he would retire from professional football on Saturday to take up a career in coaching.

The fullback ends an 18-year playing career, where he has spent his time with Manchester United, Everton and at International level with England making 59 appearances.

Neville has won countless trophies during his career including six Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League with his time at Old Trafford.

After announcing he would be leaving the Toffees in April, it wasn’t decided whether he would continue playing or move straight into coaching after nearing the end of his Uefa A license qualification and helping Stuart Pearce at the U21 tournament with England.

He has recently been linked with vacant managerial positions at Stoke City and Everton, and revealed yesterday that he may be working as part of the pundit team for the BBC at next summers World Cup in Brazil.

In an interview with the BBC, Neville discussed his retirement and plans for he future:

“In my heart, I knew that I wouldn’t be playing again – at any level. I just wanted to drift away,”

“I will be going to the World Cup next year with the BBC – I won’t be going as a player – I do enjoy the media side but I want to work, I want to coach, I want to get more hours on the grass.

“I have got two paths – one to go into the media, the other to go into coaching and management. I have got offers from both. I will sit down at the end of the tournament.”

“The biggest thing I will miss is 4 July when Everton are due back for pre-season training. I loved that day. I lived for it, getting back with the lads.”